Shot 50: The Feet of the Precious, and a Small Epilogue

...Phew. It's done.

Now we just add these to the binder.

What do you think? It looks like we have enough to fill Baobhan Sith's requirements.

Huh, so you got 'em all. Took longer than I thought, but not bad.

All right, I'll open a way here so you can bring them to me. Oh, but be careful not to drop or damage them at the last second or anything.

You know how sometimes you make a dumb mistake the moment you start to relax?

Nobody wants to see that kind of thing, let alone be the one doing it.

So don't just stay focused until the job's done. You've gotta stay even MORE focused now that you're so close to the end. Got it?

Understood. Okay, everyone, congratulations on a job well done.

Let's go to the boss room and hand the goods over without delay, shall we?

... ...

I had no idea you'd decorated your room this, um, extensively...

What, you don't like it? Well, too bad. It's totally my style.

...But we can save the small talk for later. First things first. Hand it over.

Oh, yes.

Here you go. And here are your cameras back, too.

Oh shiiit! Now this is what I'm talking about!

I was watching things remotely, of course, but seeing these pics in the flesh is next-level!

Man, this one's just insane. It's so cool I can almost feel my fingers freezing.

I take it you're satisfied, then?

Because now that we've delivered what you asked for, like we said we would...

...we'd like you to uphold your end of the deal as well.

Hang on. Let me make sure you've really got enough here.

First off, um... Oh, right. I've also got to figure out which one I want to put up first.

(Which one to put up first?)

It can't be anything normal; that'd be boring. It's gotta have some kind of deeper meaning. Hmm...

？！

Sorry, Master, but you're still missing one.

Huh? But we should have more than enough in there.

I'm not talking about numbers. I'm talking about qualityNo, brand recognition.

I don't know how I forgot about it, but I need it to bring the whole collection together.

This last shoe data I want isn't a Servant's. It's yours, Master.

？！

Wh-what do you mean by that?

Uh, exactly what I said?

I want the data for your footwear too, just like the other Servants.

Well...not that I especially NEED it for anything. I mean, I look at your shoes all the time.

But, you ARE the Master of every set of feet in my collection...

...so having yours, for the symbolism of it, is just too perfect to pass up.

Oh, since you gave the cameras back, I guess I can just take the photo myself, even if it's a pain.

W-wait! All the Servants experienced some degree of spiritual shock when they had their pictures taken with those cameras.

And Master is a flesh and blood human, so there's no telling what kind of damage that might do to him!

Even putting that aside, I thought the subject had to move around to create enough magical energy for a good picture.

So how can you take a photo of Fujimaru if he doesn't move?

Oh, that's old news. I had some time on my hands, so I made a lens modification that lets it take a photo without the subject having to move.

It just sort of breaks after a couple shots, though, so it's not really practical.

Does this add-on also have a way to mitigate the subject's shock?

Huh? Why would I need to worry about safety? Aside from making sure the pictures stay in extra good condition, anyway.

Welp, this is hopeless.

Granted, given what we've seen so far, it's probably safe to assume photographing Fujimaru would only lead to his losing consciousness, being temporarily emaciated...

But that's still more risks than I'm comfortable taking. Sorry, but I can't allow this.

Are you serious!? You're chickening out NOW!? After coming this far!?

C'mon, it's just one more photo! I already told you I'd take good care of it!

？！

No. That wouldn't work this time.

Besides, it'd be weird for your photo to be the only one where it's just shoes when all the rest have feet in them.

And don't forget, I used to collect actual feet.

So you should consider yourself lucky that I'm sticking with photos this time.

I'm sorry, Baobhan Sith, but I can't sign off on anything that could cause harm to Master either.

We kept our end of the deal, so will you please put a stop to this anomaly now?

Tch. So it's gotta come down to force in the end, huh?

Works for me. I love force.

Now, for my helper...

I'm sorry, Baobhan Sith, but I have to remain neutral.

I'm on board with your goals, but I just can't bring myself to attack MasP directly.

...Well, I guess that's okay.

I couldn't have you make what I want if your hands or wings got injured in the fight, anyway.

Sooo...

...I think I'll just ask you for help instead, Medusa.

By now, you've remembered that this won't end unless you help me, right?

...(Sigh)

Let me just make sure of something. Do you absolutely need a photo of Master's shoes, too?

Yeah, I do. My collection just won't be complete without it.

On top of that, I won't be happy unless it's perfect, which means I won't be able to give you what I promised.

...I see. Then I guess I have no choice.

Fou!?

Medusa!?

Sorry, but I'm siding with her. I have my reasons.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you won't be telling us what those reason's are.

This is between her and me. You guys have nothing to do with it, so I don't see any point in telling you.

All right, let me ask you this then: How long have you been on Baobhan Sith's side?

Hard to say. I only remembered when I saw her face at the top of the giant tree.

I had my suspicions as to what was going on with the whole photo thing...

...and once we got here, those suspicions were confirmed.

Now that they have been, I have no choice but to help her.

Exactly. We promised, remember? We made a proper deal and everything!

？！

If we're doing this, let's hurry and get it over with. I don't like wasting time.

Well, nice to see motivation isn't going to be a problem for you. I do like your serious side.

All right, time to take this last photo for the finishing touch.

Now, what kind of shoes do you wear, Master? Cute ones? Cool ones? Or just plain awesome?

Then again, I guess it's not really a mystery, since I see them all the time!

Here they come!

Master, I'll do everything in my power to prevent them from snapping a picture of you!

So please stay behind me!

？！

Absolutely not!

Khh...!

Whoa, whoa! Don't you think you're taking this a little TOO seriously!?

I couldn't do this unless I was serious. Failure is not an option.

If I lose here... If I can't make my wish come true...

...I'll...

What? What's gonna happen to you?

...Let's just say I'll be completely crestfallen.

If I don't end up outright departing this world, I'll at least desperately want to.

Huh!?

So if you don't want that...just let me take your picture already!

(Damn, she's really hardcore! I'd better be careful about messing with her in the future!)

(Ghh! I don't think I can keep Master safe much longer!)

... ...

Hey, what's the big idea? Why'd you stop me?

Because I have decided that you are taking this too far.

？！

We are. Which is why I felt an obligation to step in.

Baobhan Sith, I'm your friend. I understand what you want, what you're trying to create.

I also know it's something that comes from your happiness...

...and that it's meant to bring that same happiness to people who share your feelings.

But that's also why you mustn't hurt anyone in the process of creating it.

So, this has gone far enough.

... ...

So, you're trying to create something? What is it?

Does it have anything to do with all the shoe data we collected?

Of course that data is key to the project. But it's not the whole story.

Hearing about this project is what convinced Galatea and I to help her.

It's something that anyone can create if they wish. Something everyone values differently.

Something filled with love for all sorts of different things.

And from what I'm told, it could also arguably be described as a summer staple...

Hehe, I see you figured it out right away, MasP.

I suppose the experiences you've had creating it must have left an indelible impression on you.

I think I might know, Master.

Everything she said reminded me of those bittersweet summer memories I wouldn't trade for anything!

？！

That's right. She wanted to create a book.

Specifically, a doujin for fellow high heel lovers like herself.

One filled with information on Servants' shoes and beautiful sketches of brand-new heel designs.

... ...

A doujin filled with data on every Servant's shoes!?

So that's why you wanted a picture of Master's shoes, too. It would be a perfect symbol for the first page.

Now I understand. I agree that would be the best choicemaybe even the only one.

...Well, I guess it doesn't matter that the cat's out of the bag now.

Yeah, that's right. I wanted to make a book. That's all. So come on and let me photograph his

I'm sorry, but that doesn't change the fact that taking his picture could harm him.

I can see why you'd need lots of reference photos for a data collection. That must be why you had us go around photographing every Servant we could find.

That's right. The more patterns you have to reference and analyze, the more you have to work with when creating your own designs.

I agreed that this cause was a noble one...

...so, using the name "Miss Boot Line," I decided to help the newly formed club tentatively named the "Forest of the Forest Faeries" gather material for their book.

While I know very little about doujin, I thought my knowledge of fashion might be useful.

The same was true for Galatea. We were planning to distribute our book whenever the next festival came around.

Of course, I also have other preoccupations, like my beloved idols, so I expect I'll be juggling multiple roles for a while, but that's just how it is.

Having more than one passion is fine. In fact, one can and should be passionate about as many things as one likes!

Whether you love clothes, shoes, accessories, or anything else, you should love them with all your heart.

But, as I said earlier...

...if you hurt people in the process of trying to create something filled with love...

Well, I just think it would leave a bitter taste in your mouth.

...It's not like I was TRYING to hurt them.

Hell, if anything, they should be honored to be hurt by the daughter of the High Queen of Faerie Britain.

Besides, if you're going to make something, don't you want it to be perfect?

How could I live with myself if I gathered this much data, only to compromise on the very last piece?

If Mother were here, she'd say I should create something good enough to make all the sacrifices worthwhile.

Be that as it may, don't you think you're being a little hasty...and violent about this?

At times like that, taking a step back and thinking of a different approach will ultimately lead you to do even better work.

Listen to the truth the beautiful but yet unmade boot lines are trying to whisper to you! (New catchphrase)

I already waited a ton when I did all that damn studying! I'm not gonna wait any frigging more!

... ...

Eep! My words fell on deaf ears!

I did my best to convince her as cooly as I could, but I guess I wasn't up to the task.

My catchphrase fell kind of flat, too.

This isn't over yet. I'm still on my feet.

And no matter what her reasons may be, as long as she means to harm Master, I can't let her go through with it!

Reasons... Yes, in the end, it all comes down to very simple reasons.

She just doesn't know that because she hasn't yet had time to acclimate.

That's all there really is to it.

But I'm just repeating myself now.

However, it's not just Baobhan Sith who's rushing heedlessly after wants. You are too, Medusa.

But all you really need to get what you want is time. That's why I decided to do this.

...?

If you insist on getting in my way, I'm going to need you all to just lie down and stay out of it.

It shouldn't be difficult, since you'll all be turned to stone!

...There, finally. All that stalling paid off.

It makes sense, really. I'm not the only one who's worried about how rashly she's acting here.

In fact, you could say it concerns them directly.

Please wait, me.

...You. What are you doing here?

Don't tell me you're here to get in my way, too. You of all people should want the same thing I do.

I do. But there are some important things here that you're still not seeing.

If you keep going the way you are now, there may be no coming back.

Which is why I had no choice but to bring them along.

Them? ...Wait. You don't mean

(Giggle)

My, my. Someone's certainly having fun.

Aren't you, contemporarily fashionable Medusa?

S-Sisters... What are you doing here?

What were you thinking, Lancer me!? You know I wasn't ready to see them yet!

I told you. It's because you still don't understand what you're doing.

That you're doing this for them doesn't matter. On its own, that's not good enough.

...And doesn't make it okay to hurt Master.

Oh yes. I don't know exactly why it is you're doing this...

...but I can tell you're trying to force Master into doing something you want.

I'm not surprised to see an overgrown oaf like you being so shortsighted and simpleminded, but that doesn't mean I'm not embarrassed by it.

Don't misunderstand. We're not blaming you for bullying Master.

But...that human there? He's our Master, too.

Medusa, I'm sure you knew we all serve the same human...but you clearly don't understand what that means.

Now do you understand? Master there belongs to us as well.

So what made you think you could just take this human we've been serving for a novel change of pace...

...who we've been raising, toying with, and occasionally tormenting for fun...

...and bully him without our permission?

Eep. I, uh... I wasn't trying to bully him... I was just... Um...

C'mon, forget about them! All that matters now is getting his picture!

Stheno and Euryale's appearance is interfering with Medusa's spirit and concentration!

Part of me would love to know the story behind all this, but right now, I think we need to go on the offensive!

？！

Now that we're here, we may as well help out, too.

Then let's see... Oh? That Medusa's a Saber?

Well, isn't that lovely? It's as if she showed up just so we could give her the punishment she deserves.

My, my. That was pretty pathetic, adolescent Medusa.

You're even wearing a lovely modern-day outfit now. That's a uniform, right?

I've heard uniforms can be worn in combat, too. And you still lost.

Ngh...

Dammit... I didn't think those twerps would be so tough when they got serious...

We did it! Both Medusa and Baobhan Sith have been neutralized!

Sheesh, it's about time. Anyway, I'm glad we can have a calm conversation now, but I don't know who we should talk to first.

By the by, we don't know anything about this.

That's right. When we first heard a new Medusa had been summoned...

...myself (Euryale) and I just smiled patiently and assumed she would come greet us eventually. Strangely, she never did.

("Smiled patiently," huh? I'll bet it didn't look like that to any bystanders.)

Even after this whole forest ordeal began, we still waited and waited.

It was only after the small Medusa came to fetch us that we decided we had no choice but to visit her ourselves.

Honestly, what were youjust a lowly Medusathinking, making US come to YOU!?

I think maybe we should start by getting the timeline straight.

Tell us, Saber me. You took a quick walk around the Border right after you were summoned, right?

We actually already knew about you then. You're a new me, after all, so we couldn't help but be curious.

Back then, I...

(So this is Chaldea. The Storm Border...)

(This is where my sisters are.)

(I want to see them. I want to pay my respects.)

(But, I don't know what I would say...)

(From what I hear, they're both dressed like the goddesses they are. They might be mad about me wearing modern clothes...)

Aaaaaah!

...What is it?

You! New girl! Where did you get those!? They're downright QUEENLY!

What?

Those heels!

Let me get a closer look. Lift your leg up a bit. Just a little will do.

O-okay...

Your boots have a perfect balance of strength and streamlining. And they stand out even more thanks to the smooth contour of your legs in general.

...You really have beautiful legs. Not to mention a whole combat aesthetic that's totally different from mine and Meltryllis's.

...Are you into shoes?

Well yeah. Of course I am.

You must be too, right? You wouldn't be wearing such badass heels otherwise.

Who made these? Where'd you buy them? Or did someone give them to you as a present?

Oh, no. I was wearing these when I was summon

...A present?

... ...

Hey. You wouldn't know how to make shoes, would you?

Not ones like these, more like...cuter, but also new and interesting.

Of course. After seeing these beauties, I'm so inspired I feel like I could make anything right now.

It's not what I was planning to do, but I suppose I could find the time to work on a new pair.

Okay, I'll make you whatever kind of shoes you want.

But I'm not so generous as to work for free. Let's see, what do I want in exchange...

Still, cute shoes, huh?

Uh, no, I didn't mean for me

...Never mind. Now that I think about it, I shouldn't have brought this up with someone I only just met. Forget about it.

Geez, what's her deal?

So you'd already run into Baobhan Sith right after you were summoned!?

What, is that a problem? Is it a crime to talk to someone 'cause they're wearing badass heels now?

？！

So, if I understand all this correctly...

...you two ended up forming a kind of contract when you spoke.

But not anything explicit. It was more like an unspoken agreement, or even just something that could be interpreted as such.

...Yes. That's why I didn't remember until I saw her face up on top of that tree.

That was what got me wondering if the deal was still on.

Of course it is. I never turned you down, and you never refused.

Personally, I totally interpreted that as making a deal. After all

I'll explain the mix-up there. It is our fault...

Geez, what's her deal?

Allow us to explain.

We know what she's thinking. She's one of us, after all.

And since this has to do with our sisters, we really have no choice but to cooperate.

Huh? What're you talking about?

We want you to make the shoes you were just talking about. We'll even give you the sizes and such.

She wants shoes more than anything right now, and on top of that...

...she seems to like your straightforward way of putting things, too.

...Hmm, I see. I guess she's not the kind of person who can just ask for what she wants.

All right. I'm not usually one to go out of my way to help anybody, but I'll make an exception this time!

Besides, I forgot to tell her that she would look good in cute designs too.

Still, if we're going to make this an official request, then I demand proper compensation!

There's something else I want to make besides shoes, so I want you to help me with that.

That's fine.

We'll do whatever we can to help, as long as it doesn't cause too much trouble for anyone else.

What are you saying? It's obvious where our priorities should be.

If it's a choice between our relationship with our sisters, or becoming an enemy of all humanity...

So Saber Medusa came up with the idea, and you other Medusas followed through with it?

You certainly went to quite a lot of trouble. And all to make shoes for us, hm?

S-still, we never meant to cause so much trouble for Chaldea...or for you!

Besides, we didn't know what we'd have to do to repay her when we agreed!

Thinking back, we probably should have known prioritizing the present would cause problems...

...but once we knew how she felt, we couldn't help wanting to do whatever it took to make it happen...

So, the compensation Baobhan Sith asked for was your help with this whole forest incident.

She took over the simulator with a giant tree that she used to create cameras with lenses capable of preserving every shred of data pertaining to shoes and feet...

...and then made a deal with us to capture that data from all of our Servants.

And what she ultimately wanted to make with all that data...

...was a doujin.

？！

Hey, believe it or not, I'm compromising on my vision here.

As far as I'm concerned, this still isn't enough to make the best damn catalog in all of Faerie Britain.

Incidentally, the point of me being chaperone was partly for me to help you complete the missions as quickly and smoothly as possible.

But I was also subtly steering you away from running into Stheno or Euryale along the way.

Medusa asked me to in private once she figured out what was going on.

This would have all been for nothing if we'd run into them before the contract was complete, after all.

I see...

So, now what? If you're still set on using force, we're ready to respond in kind.

Now that we've got you in custody, we could take back that binder and revert control back to us...

...but there's a chance that could result in losing all the data we've gathered so far.

...Damn, guess the jig's up then. All right, I'll give up on Master's feet. That's better than losing everything.

Besides, this debut work was just gonna be practice, anyway. My next book'll be the masterpiece I show Mother.

All right, I severed the connection to the Holy Grail.

The simulator and the Border aren't gonna go back to normal immediately, but they'll get there.

So hey, while you're waiting, you can totally bring me more shoe data, if you want.

I've even got additional rewards ready for you if you do... Oh, but you probably want your original reward first, huh?

Here. I didn't have anything better to do while I was waiting, so I whipped these up with Galatea.

I'll just leave them here, 'kay? Byyye!

She ran for it! Damn, so she still had enough energy to bounce after all that...

Fou!

Master, look. There's something over where Baobhan Sith was just standing.

？！

So she finished them.

...Hmm.

This is what you turned against Chaldea for?

This is what you wanted to give us, Medusa?

Now we at least know the story, but we haven't heard anything from the horse's mouth.

... ...

Well!? If you've got something to say, spit it out!

I swear. You may look grown-up, but the best you can do is still just come up with terrible ideas you're too scared to say aloud!

Well, you might be a little younger than Rider and Avenger Medusa...

...but as far as we're concerned, there's barely any difference at all.

I guess it doesn't matter what class you are. You're still just Medusa!

Ulp... Y-yes, that's right. I wanted to give you both a present.

Something that would look good on you, like clothes or shoes.

Why's that?

Because when I materialized, I was dressed like a human from this time.

I knew right away these clothes didn't suit me.

But the next thought I had was that they would probably look great on you two.

So, I thought instead of just coming to pay my respects...

...I could bring you a gift that would make the two of you even prettier. To make up for being so useless...

(...Sigh)

(...Sigh)

What do you think, me (Euryale)?

What do you think, me (Stheno)? This is even worse than I thought.

To start, we flick some sense into her.

Agreed. She needs some sense flicked into her.

Medusa. Sit.

O-okay.

(Forehead flick)

(Forehead flick)

Ow. Ow.

Now you listen to us, Medusa. You may be bigger than us, and you're obviously not nearly as clever...

...but you're still our little sister. So stop being meaner to yourself than you have to.

O-okay...?

You still don't get it? Ugh.

What we're saying is, that modern outfit doesn't look as bad on you as you think...

...so you should have just come and said hello instead of worrying about something so stupid!

!

That said, bringing us presents actually wasn't a bad idea, so we can't fault you there.

You should have just come to see us right away AND brought a gift, obviously.

But I guess you wouldn't be our awkward little sister if you could just do simple things like that, huh?

？！

What's to forgive? Scolding a little sister for being incompetent, showing her the error of her ways, and cleaning up her messes are pretty much a big sister's job.

Exactly. So...what do we do with these, me (Stheno)?

Good question. Since the faerie did go to the trouble of making them and all

Hold iiit!

(Gasp, gasp...) I'm sorry. I'm not used to running so fast.

Wh-what is it, Miss Crane? Come to think of it, you have been gone for a little while, haven't you?

I told you, I'm Miss Bootoh, never mind. I suppose it doesn't matter now that I'm not chaperoning anymore.

Ahem. Not so fast, please. I have something to say first.

When I learned about Medusa and Baobhan Sith's promise, I immediately thought:

"A gift of shoes? What a wonderful idea. But...why stop at just shoes!?"

？！

I do! I got ahold of Baobhan Sith's sketches for the shoes ahead of time...

...and I secretly made outfits to go with them! Here you go!

Oh my. Are you sure you want to just give these to us?

Of course I am. As a matter of fact, I've been wanting to try dressing you two in more modern clothing for some time now.

I know Euryale also has her wonderful idol outfit...

...but this time, I focused on...mmmf...outfits which would be both cute AND suitable for daily life!

They're not durable enough to be worn in combat, and they're not proper Spiritron Dresses, either...

...but in exchange, I made sure they would be EXCEEDINGLY comfortable to wear!

They may seem like winter outfits at first, but they can actually be worn year-round, including now!

Now go on, try them on! Hurry!

Mmf... (Taking deep breaths)

Eee... EEEEEE! S-so cuuuuuuteee!

J'adore! Wonderful! Beautiful! Bravissima! Ahh, I'm so glad to be aliiive!

Hehe. I suppose they're not too bad.

It's certainly an interesting change of pace. I wonder what Asterios would think.

But never mind him now. What about you, Medusa? Don't you have anything to say?

Oh. Um...

They look great on you, Sisters.

Yes. They really do.

...Crane woman.

I didn't ask you for these, nor did I do anything to compensate you for them, but you made them anyway.

Thank you. I'm very grateful.

Oh no, not at all. I made them because I wanted to.

Besides, I couldn't have made them without Baobhan Sith's shoe designs, so I can't take all the credit.

Good point. I'll have to thank her too the next time I see her.

These outfits really do look amazing on them.

Now, why are you just standing there?

Huh?

Since we're already dressed different than our usual, we might as well do things different from our usual, no?

That's a camera over there, right?

But, it's just meant for taking pictures of feet...

Feet, huh? Nothing wrong with that. It would just be wrong to start by photographing our full goddess forms anyway.

Starting with just our feet sounds perfect.

I-I see. Well, in that case

What are you doing with that? Get over here!

Your summoning is the whole reason we're wearing these outfits, right?

Wha

... ...

I'll take the picture then. Please, go ahead.

By the way, Lancer MedusaActually, this goes for the other Medusas I'm sure are watching from the shadows as well:

We want to take pictures with all of you, and we're not taking "no" for an answer. Consider yourselves warned.

Hehe. Then I'll take those pictures when you're ready!

Understood.

Okay, let's get started. Could you all line up over there, please?

Here goes. Say cheese...

(Giggle) All that aside, the more I look at your boots, the more I feel they suit you, Medusa.

They're big, awkward, hard, and tough... They couldn't be more different from us.

Yes... You're right.

But that's okay. In fact, that's how it should be.

It doesn't mean you have no right to stand next to us. On the contrary.

That's right. It just means we'll trust you to do the things we can't.

Be it kicking someone who fails to show us the proper respect, or stomping on a pesky insect...

...we have no doubt you can walk the paths we would have trouble navigating on our own.

So, in that sense, we're counting on you.

Saber Medusa.

You're like a young girl, a grown woman, a monster, and a goddess, all at once.

At some point, you even became like a mother.

Yes, this new you may have more and more varied aspects than your other selves.

But, even so...